Loading...
BWRC Minutes Oct 2021 CITY OF BEVERLY WASTE REDUCTION COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes Thursday, October 07, 2021 at 6:30 PM Beverly Public Library, Sohier Room Call to order: 6:33 PM. Committee members present: Susan Higgins (Chair), Sandy Burgess, Nancy Dillon, Joyce Herman, Toni Musante, Lisa Willwerth Committee members absent: John Swain Invited participants and guests: Erina Keefe, Amy Henderson Committee business 1. Welcome to Danielle Spang, Recording Secretary Dillon's BWRC appointment expiration date needs to be updated on website. 2. Review minutes for September 2021 meeting Dillon moved to approve the minutes; Willwerth seconded. The motion carried(6-0). 3. Committee member roles and responsibilities—preliminary discussion Two vacancies remain on the Committee; reviewed ordinance to clarify Committee's purpose, putting on agenda for next meeting to discuss direction for the Committee to take moving forward (i.e., continue sponsoring events by BWRC) Higgins to circulate draft description of proposed roles for review and feedback at the next meeting working towards identifying skills/expertise/strengths for candidates to fill the vacancies 4. Discuss possible collaboration with Green Beverly —pumpkin collection for composting Proposing Sunday, November 7th at New Entry Farm at Moraine Farm (waiting on confirmation for venue and assistance from Black Earth) Pete Frates 5k is at Lynch Park at LOAM on November 7th as well Pumpkins cannot go to Stanley Street—yard waste only, no food waste; only alternative is through compost pickups Willwerth to coordinate with Green Beverly re: whether the event moves forward, and how BWRC can support the event(volunteers, educational table/booth, newspaper origami cups for pumpkin seeds to plant at home, etc) Composting updates 1. Curbside program Higgins has the last 8-9 bins at her house, after the last bin is given away coordinating with Keefe and Black Earth to change the language on their website for the coupon code and Black Earth to deliver bins 1,386 participants citywide currently; average monthly sign-ups have decreased in August/September/October after increasing from 2019 through 2020 to July 2021 City has 4-6 boxes of countertop bins to give away while supplies last Bootstraps and City Compost bucket subscription alternatives Black Earth accepting volunteer(s) to store and distribute bins for a year of free composting services 2. Pilot program for drop-off collection Keefe and Mayor Cahill met with abutting neighbors this evening to answer questions and it will be a 64-gallon locking toter, with a keycode lock access, and secured to the fence with a locked cable in the parking lot at Bessie Baker Park, 373R Cabot St. Free to Beverly residents, accessible 24/7, registration form inquires reasons for use, and includes knowledge quiz on what can/cannot go in the bin as well as proper usage (not share the code, keep everything inside, lock behind you, use bio bags or paper bags) BWRC to help monitor site daily or every-other-day to ensure proper use, Black Earth will pick-up on Tuesdays/Fridays,feedback form to log any issues through Google form Preregistration link is live now, bin will likely be installed by the end of next week Keefe is working on signage program next 3. Composting in schools Beverly High School is composting; understanding is that yes other schools compost from the kitchen area (kitchen scraps/food waste) and Keefe will confirm City updates and discussion items 1. Community meetings (10/14 and 10/21 at 7:00 PM via Zoom) City to present update on trash/recycling contract and foster discussion on textile recycling, curbside composting, composting drop-off station, and recycling contamination issues (report any issues with yard waste collection to City) BWRC invited to introduce themselves and identify their role in City Higgins available for 10121, recommends two committee members attend each meeting to present or answer questions 2. Water bill insert Going out to City residents with QR codes linking to City websites (Composting, Recyclopedia, Textile Recycling, Library of Things, Trash& Recycling page) Library tracks website traffic (see if uptick) and monitor weight for textile recycling for any increase as well 3. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)legislation Many bills (packaging legislation, expanded bottle bill, paint recycling, mattress recycling, etc.)requesting support through signing on, look into voting to recommend the City through Mayor/City Council endorse proposed impactful legislation likely to pass 4. Other Backyard composting bins will be sold for $25/bin likely through Aubuchon Hardware +/or Unpacked Living with an anticipated rollout in spring 2022 Discuss interest in electronics collection and/or Styrofoam collection event Electronics collection event discussion tabled, pending scope of Committee discussion. Salem reached out re:joint Styrofoam collection event, proposed for Jan. 8th or 15th at the Community Life Center, 401 Bridge Street, Salem. General interest from Committee to request more information on cost, number of trucks, time, etc. Add to next meeting's agenda with more information re:plans/cost Old business and miscellaneous items 1. Green Beverly Q&A coaching: questions for the Committee currently emailed to Higgins, looking for it to transition to a shared responsibility within the Committee Picture of BWRC members taken for the bio/profile picture Upcoming events None. Other updates and discussion items by Committee members Possibly adding solar panels (buy/rent on roof, and/or solar fields)to the agenda at another meeting. Green Beverly with Beverly Public Library hosted event with Jimi Carnazza of Full Circle Earth on home composting (video to be posted to Green Beverly's website). Adjourn: Dillon moved to adjourn;Burgess seconded. The motion carried(6-0) at 8:14 PM. NEXT MEETING: November 4, 2021 at 6:30 PM Location: Beverly Public Library, Barnet Gallery